Abstract

CHIBANTE, António MS; VAZ, Marcelo Alexandre C  and  SUSO, Francisco Vargas. The proliferative cytokines TGF-β and VEGF in pleural effusions post-coronary artery bypass graft. Rev Port Pneumol [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.4, pp.359-367. ISSN 0873-2159.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries canimpact on the pericardium and pleural space, leading to inflammation which can cause effusion. Aim: To study the role of the proliferative cytokines TGF-β and VEGF in the fluids of 16 transudates and 43 pleural effusions of patients who underwent CABG at the Heart Unit and Pulmonology Unit of the University Hospital of São Paulo. Levels of cytokines were assessed 2, 24 and 48 hours post-surgery. Results: The pleural effusion after CABG is an exsudative mobilizer of TGF-β and VEGF cytokines immediately after surgery. The TGF-β concentrations were elevated 2 hours after surgery but started to fall soon after, reaching transudate levels after 48 hours. VEGF levels were high in the first 2 hours post surgery and tended to maintain the same concentrations for at least 48 hours after surgery. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, TGF-β is a cytokine that seems to work as a trigger, leading the pleural mesothelial cell to express VEGF a cause of pleural effusion in CABG surgeries.

Keywords : Inflammation; cytokines; pleural effusions; coronary artery bypass grafting.

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